My midwife wouldn't even discuss it until 2 weeks have gone past. I don't think it's a good idea unless there really is a medical issue like the previous poster said.

*:Onei*Chan:*

October 19th, 2006 01:19 PM

I dont think that an induction should be done unless the placenta is not functioning any longer. If going any further TRUELY threatens the mother or the baby, then perhaps labor should be induced. My MW doesn't do an induction until a simple stress test starts to show that your placenta is not functioning, which she says has a tendency to happen at around 43 weeks, IF they were right about your due date. She would also do an induction if the health of the baby or mother started to decline and giving birth was the only way to help it.

UndaCovaSis

October 19th, 2006 01:36 PM

I agree with everyone else.

What about procedures like stripping the membranes to cause labour?

I had it done so my mom would be with me for the birth (lame excuse, but she was in Canada from Texas!). My cervix was completely closed when she opened me to 4 cm. Three days later I went into labour and was 6cm when she came. I just wonder if my labour would have be different had this not happend.... any thoughts?

*:Onei*Chan:*

October 19th, 2006 01:41 PM

I wouldn't allow stripping of the membranes unless the same things were going on. I would definitely prefer it over a medicated induction though. stripping the membranes can bring bacteria into the area that isnt there naturally and so I would worry about infection and things. Thats just me though, I went nearly 3 weeks over with my first pregnancy, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if that is how long my son decides that he needs to stay in my womb. As long as it is the safest place for him I will encourage him to be there!

momma6_2angels

October 19th, 2006 05:27 PM

AND stripping doesn't mean you will go into labor then either. My homebirthing friend here (the one who turned me on to it) had it done multiple times. She also tried castor oil 3 or 4 times and used herbs. Nothing! She went 4 weeks over!

MissyPrincessEha

October 19th, 2006 05:32 PM

Well, if it weren't for laws I would be all for waiting for the baby in any case, so long as the vitals were good and baby was doing well.

But where I live and will end up practicing when I am done we can't have them go longer than 2 weeks over. If we know a mother has a previous history of going 2 weeks or + there are things we would do like herbs and having the mother to chat with her baby that it is okay to come. If we get within a few days of that date we do offer things such as stronger herbs, and stretching. We also encourage them to do all the things they can at home such as sex and nipple stimulation.

I think dodging that hospital birth is worth trying some natural things to get labor started.

UndaCovaSis

October 19th, 2006 05:53 PM

Yes, I also tried calophylum (sp?) pellets.

MrsPil

October 20th, 2006 11:57 AM

My mom was a month over with my sisters and I so I think it's a matter of patience. Personally as long as I am still getting good movement from the baby I will try and hold of induction as long as possible. If I were to "induce" I would use massage (with lavendar and jasmine oils), accupressure, chiropractic techniques, sex, and nipple stimulation first, move on to the cohoshes from there. If that didn't work I'd head to evening primrose oil and castor oil. And if all that doesn't work baby just wasn't meant to come yet!